Poor deprived of their right to dream: Rahul Gandhi flags rising costs of houses
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday flagged concerns over the rising costs of houses, especially in big cities, and said the next time "someone tells you the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, show them the truth about your domestic budget".
Gandhi shared on his WhatsApp channel a media report which claimed that even for the top 5 per cent of urban families by income in Maharashtra, buying a house in Mumbai would take more than 100 years of savings.
"Yes, you read it right - and if you don't believe it, let me repeat it: 'To buy a house in Mumbai, even the richest five per cent of India's people will have to save 30 per cent of their income for 109 years!'" Gandhi said.
"This is the condition of most big cities, where you work hard in search of opportunities and success. And, where will so much savings come from?" he said in his post in Hindi on his WhatsApp channel.
The inheritance of the poor and the middle class is not wealth, but responsibilities - expensive education of children, worry about expensive treatment, responsibility of parents or a small car for the family, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
"Still, there is a dream in the hearts - 'one day' we will have a house of our own! But when that 'one day' is 109 years away even for the rich, then understand that the poor have been deprived of their right to dreams," Gandhi said.
"Every family needs a comfortable four-walls and a roof over its head - but unfortunately, it costs more than your entire life's hard work and savings," he said.
"The next time someone tells you the Gross Domestic Product figures, show them the truth about your domestic budget - and ask, who is this economy for?" Gandhi said.
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Punjab CM Mann lays foundation stone of Rs 14.63 crore sports stadium in Sangrur
Sangrur (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 14.63 crore modern sports stadium here, underscoring that expanding access to quality playgrounds alongside a strong education system is key to steering the youth towards "purpose, performance, and global achievement".
The stadium coming up on 4.38 acres in Satouj will offer professional training and host a wide range of sports including badminton, handball, judo, netball, basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics, kabaddi and karate, according to an official release.
"It is a historic day for the region as this stadium is coming up at a cost of Rs 14.63 crore. This stadium will be constructed over an area of 4.38 acres, and the complex will host various sporting activities," Mann said.
"The stadium will have a 200-metre athletic track, pavilion for spectators and players and a multipurpose indoor sports hall," he said.
While highlighting the wide range of facilities being created, Mann said professional training opportunities will be provided to children and youngsters in the stadium, adding that this project will ensure that the area emerges as a sports hub.
Emphasising the importance of balanced development, he said, "When there is a good school for education and a proper ground for sports, a child can bring glory to their village, state, and country on the global stage."
Reaffirming the Punjab government's focus on youth development, Mann said, "It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the Punjab government is successfully providing world-class facilities for education and sports."
This project will help in further breaking the backbone of drugs by fostering sporting culture in the state, and it will help in channelising the unbounded energy of youth of state in a positive manner, he said.
Such stadiums will play an important role in helping the youth stay away from the curse of drugs and in order to encourage the youngsters to realise their dreams of winning medals in national and international sporting events, the CM said.
Later, Mann launched an ultra-modern community health centre here that aims to benefit the residents of 85 villages. It is equipped with round-the-clock emergency services, surgical facilities, treatment for serious illnesses and specialist care for children, he said.
Mann alleged that previous governments neglected regions like Dirba and kept development restricted. He said his government is reversing this by investing public money back into villages through hospitals, schools, libraries and roads.
"To impart quality health services to people, we have dedicated the CHC at village Kauhrian... This ambitious project has been completed at a cost of Rs 13.23 crore and the centre has a capacity of 30 beds," he said.
He further noted, "The CHC will also have paediatric specialists for treating children's diseases, and free treatment along with all necessary tests for mothers and children will be provided."
Mann added that dental treatment will also be provided by a specialist at the facility.
